2005 Mercedes C 1.8L Petrol · SO55 FTP

This 2005 Mercedes C-Class currently holds no valid MOT certificate, having failed its most recent test on 9 February 2024 at 151,818 miles. The maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That failure identified a fractured Nearside Front Coil spring, a critical structural fault that directly compromises suspension geometry and road holding. Multiple sub-frame and suspension mounting areas were also flagged for corrosion, albeit not yet at the point of serious weakness. The vehicle has stood without a valid certificate for over two years, meaning its current mechanical condition is entirely unverified. The mileage progression tells a story of sharply declining use. Between November 2021 at 128,614 miles and October 2022 at 142,682 miles, the car covered 14,068 miles in under twelve months. Yet by February 2024, the odometer had moved just 9,136 miles in the following sixteen months. The recorded mileage has remained frozen at 151,818 since that failure, strongly suggesting the vehicle has been stationary since early 2024. A car sitting unused for over two years raises its own concerns, including deteriorated brake fluid, flat-spotted tyres, and accelerated corrosion of unprotected metal components. The MOT history reveals a persistent pattern of corrosion affecting the rear brake pipework, appearing across three consecutive tests in 2021 and 2022 despite being flagged each time. This suggests the pipes were never properly replaced, merely noted as advisories. The 2022 failure also cited a chafed Nearside Front Brake hose, a safety-critical defect that was rectified for the retest, yet the underlying theme of neglected brake hydraulics runs through the record. Combined with the 2024 coil spring fracture and widespread sub-frame corrosion, the evidence points to a vehicle where structural and safety systems were deteriorating without adequate intervention. Any prospective buyer should treat this car as a project requiring thorough re-commissioning. A full inspection of the sub-frame mounting points, rear brake lines, and all suspension bushes and ball joints is essential before any road use. The fractured coil spring demands immediate replacement, ideally in pairs, and the corroded sub-frame areas need professional assessment to determine whether welding or replacement is viable. Brake hoses, fluid, and pipework should be inspected and likely renewed given the history of corrosion and chafing. Do not drive this vehicle until a fresh MOT or independent inspection confirms the critical defects have been resolved.